Types of Passes on the White Mountain NF
Annual Pass
Valid 1 year from date of purchase
Cost: $30.00
Annual Household Pass
Valid 1 year from date of purchase
Cost: $40.00
Daily Pass
Valid for 1 day, specified at time of purchase
Cost: $5.00
In addition to the White Mountain National Forest passes, additional nation-wide passes are recognized on the Forest. Holders of the Interagency, Golden Age, or Golden Access passes are not required to purchase a White Mountain pass.
So for a short trip if you are using a lot that requires a pass, its $5 a day. You put $5 cash in s special envelope that is filled in with your info and license plate number (bring a pen) , that is placed in a locked pipe with slot on the top. There is tear off receipt that you place on your dash. If and when the ranger comes to check that day they will match up the envelopes with the cars in the lot and write tickets. Its only a few of the major parking lots that require a fee. Usually its the lots that access an AMC hut. There are state owned lots that do not require a fee. Appalachia in Randolph and Lafayette Place in Franconia Notch are currently free although Lafyette Place is beng considered for one.
Compared to Boston both Manchester and Portland are far less intimidating. IMHO Portland is the least intimidating as long as you have smart phone with nav ap to get you out of town onto RT 113 or RT 302 which are nice drives through the country. Logan in Boston will have more connections and possibly better deals but getting from Logan to 93 during the 3 hour rush hour in the AM or the 3 hour rush hour at night is intimidating. The highways are in tunnels where most smart phone mapping programs do not work. Lots of traffic with cars merging in and out and if you are in the wrong lane at the wrong time you may end up being forced out the wrong exit. IMHO Worth the extra bucks for Manchester or Portland. Both are a lot less stressful.